Premier League DFS: Matchweek 1 Overachievers and Red Cards

Looking at DFS scoring, which players shined and which players struggled during Matchweek 1.

Matchweek 1 of the English Premier League is in the books, and that means the first week of DFS fantasy football on FanDuel UK is complete.

As with any DFS game, players must correctly identify which high-priced studs to pay for and which value-priced players will outperform their price value, as well as avoiding players who are doomed to underachieve.

This article will take a weekly look at four players who outperformed (overachievers) and four players that underperformed (red cards) their value and give an outlook at all 10 players for the upcoming week.

Overachievers

Robert Snodgrass, Hull City

Snodgrass scored the winning goal for newly promoted Hull City in their upset of the defending champions. Shots off target do not count in FanDuel scoring. However, Snodgrass took 5 of the team's 14 shots (35.7%) and contributed seven crosses for his squad. Snodgrass is involved on set pieces as well as corners, which may not add point values directly, but will give him ample opportunities in matches for shots on targets, assists, chances created and successful passes (5).

Snodgrass’ next match comes Saturday at Swansea. Newly-promoted teams usually play with a sense of excitement in their first match, and Hull just defeated the reigning champions. Their squad should still have a sense of excitement within it. Swansea relinquished 10 shots (3 on target) in a shutout win over Burnley, another newly-promoted squad. Snodgrass was easily the best player on the pitch for Hull in Matchweek 1. He will have an opportunity to make it two straight matches with a goal and will always have the bonus of corners and set pieces.

Coutinho left fantasy owners and the Liverpool faithful
holding their breath as he was substituted out in the 69th minute
with what looked like an apparent hamstring injury. In the post-match news
conference, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Coutinho was suffering from a cramp and not a leg injury. Coutinho should be fit for his next match Saturday
against Burnley.

He should have opportunities on net as Burnley allowed
17 shots (9 on goal) against a Swansea squad who also employ a 4-3-3. If fully
fit, the Brazilian should likely be worth his hefty price tag.

Etienne Capoue, Watford

Capoue scored his first goal for Watford after not scoring one in his debut for Watford last season. The midfielder thrived in the 3-5-2 system under new manager Walter Mazzarri. Capoue found plenty of open space on the pitch but was only able to turn that into two shots and one key pass for the match after teammate Ben Watson was sent off.

Capoue’s next match is Saturday against Chelsea. The Blues controlled their match with 62% possession in their win Monday over West Ham. Capoue and Watford will have an extra two days of rest before facing Chelsea and will need to maintain more possession or Capoue will have a tough time doing damage.

Nathan Redmond, Southampton

Redmond shined in his first match with his new club and paired well with Dusan Tadic and Shane Long. Redmond seemed to look for the net every time he touched the ball, even dribbling across the entire top of the box looking to send in a shot. The goal came off a corner when Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes made a poor clearance and the ball fell right to Redmond’s foot for the volley.

Redmond’s next match comes Friday against Manchester United. Redmond is priced well below the top midfielders and will likely be well worth the savings if he continues to look for net at the same rate.

Red Cards

Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal

Sanchez will be one of the players fantasy owners look to build their team around each week. The owners that selected him last weekend are most likely not cashing any checks this morning. As the stat line shows, Sanchez was basically irrelevant in a match where there were a combined 25 total shots. As previously discussed, Arsenal has a plethora of injuries they are dealing with, but the poor Sanchez performance is upsetting.

Sanchez’s next match is Saturday against Leicester City. Leicester relinquished 14 shots and 8 set pieces in their loss against Hull. Sanchez should be able to attack a defense that will still be missing Robert Huth, likely giving Sanchez more scoring opportunities. The owners spending up on Sanchez will be hoping that the owners Sanchez hurt in Matchweek 1 will be holding a grudge.

Jamie Vardy, Leicester City

Vardy had a relatively easy chance in front of the goal but was unable to find the back of the net. Vardy was expected to produce heavily as the reigning champions faced a newly-promoted squad. The two shots for Vardy are discouraging, and fantasy owners should expect more from the striker who turned down a move to Arsenal.

Vardy’s next match is Saturday when he faces the exact squad he spurned this summer. The Gunners conceded 4 goals on 16 shots Sunday in their loss to Liverpool. Vardy likely will have another opportunity to place the ball in the back net as he faces a banged up Arsenal back line.

Harry Kane, Tottenham

The 2015-2016 leading goal scorer had a rough start to the new campaign, not recording a shot. The Spurs fired off 13 total shots, which makes Kane’s offensive absence that much more disturbing. Fantasy owners and Spurs fans alike were hoping for an Aguero-like performance in Matchweek 1, but Kane was unable to find space on the pitch and was ultimately unable to deliver.

Kane’s next match is Saturday against Crystal Palace, who conceded 13 shots and 1 goal against West Brom. The Spurs will likely look to get Kane involved, and like Sanchez, fantasy owners may be able to get decent value out of a stud striker others are avoiding due to a poor season-opening outing.

Dele Alli, Tottenham

The sixth-highest priced midfielder in Matchweek 2 did not live up to his billing in his season debut against Everton. Surprisingly, despite poor games from Alli and Kane, Tottenham earned a road point.

Alli’s next match is Saturday against Crystal Palace. Alli will likely look to control the center of the pitch and send long balls forward to Kane. West Brom’s two center midfielders, Darren Fletcher and Claudio Yacob, were able to send in 17 combined long balls in the victory over Crystal Palace. Alli, along with Kane, will likely be frustrated with his Matchweek 1 form and is in a position to rebound versus what should be a weaker Crystal Palace side.